Sony does a Dell and drops an E

Both processors are dual-core 1.66GHz chips with the same amount of cache - the only difference between the two CPUs is that the E version doesn't carry the same virtualization technology as the the non-E version. The bottom of the range T2300E was a drop-in replacement for the T2300, beginning in June of this year.

Even though VT is mainly aimed at high-end workstations and servers, people generally want to be given what's been originally quoted in advertisements. VT can still be effectively used on a laptop using a low-end processor such as the T2300, and quite rightly people are disgruntled at not getting their promised goods with the stated specification.

Dell has admitted the problem and offered customers a full refund. Unfortunately it now seems the same thing has happened to Sony.

A recent post on the forums of Notebook Review has had everyone frantically checking their Sony SZ2 laptops for signs of a T2300E when a fully VT'd T2300 should've been in its place.

Unfortunately, this hack has recently had his laptop replaced with a SZ2 and can confirm that a T2300E is in fact used within his laptop. Below is a cpu-z screen shot showing the T2300E in all its non-VT glory...

It must be noted that the Sony US site now states that Virtualisation Technology isn't supported, while still maintaining in multiple places that the CPU is a T2300, without the extra E [a poster spotted the addition of the VT statement but the INQUIRER can't find it - if the statement does exist, it's very well hidden].

Regardless, various disgruntled customers on the forums have said previous material, dated from when they purchased their laptops, didn't state the CPU was non-VT. More importantly to us in Blighty, the UK site still appears to have no similar disclaimer.

After the battery fiasco, Dell and Sony probably could have done without further bad press. It will be interesting to see how Sony responds to these allegations and customer complaints. µ